''My heart really wants to be here. But in a way, I'm not happy.... I really miss just being home.... The fact that I have fans out there -- you know, I'm the face of transgender -- that's what's keeping me on the show, and that's what keeps me motivated.''
Leiomy Maldonado, transgender dancer for the group Vogue Evolution, explaining in a backstage interview why she missed rehearsals and walked off stage while practicing for last week's episode of America's Best Dance Crew. She and her four gay dance partners have already been voted back to the show next week. (MTV / America's Best Dance Crew)
''I live for Vogue Evolution. Your performance was good but it wasn't excellent.... Leiomy, your behavior -- come on -- it's unacceptable. I just feel that you always have to remember your truth. You were born a man, and you are becoming a woman. If you're going to become a woman, act like a lady. Don't be a bird -- like, 'Oh, my God, I'm not doing this!' You know what I'm saying? It gets too crazy and it gets confusing. You're doing this for America. Even though you're the face for transgenders, you're the face for America with this group, and it's not about anybody else. It's about y'all. So, do it for the team!''
Lil Mama, a judge of the MTV dance contest ''America's Best Dance Crew,'' singling out Leiomy Maldonado for some alleged backstage issues that her group, Vogue Evolution, is having. The show is in it's 4th season, and Vogue Evolution is the first gay/trans group to have been featured. Most of the other groups competing this season have similar specialties -- all female, latin, asian, southern, african-american, etc. An exhausted Maldonado appeared to roll her eyes and not take the comments well. Many commenters on the MTV discussion board for the show say Lil Mama's comments were insensitive, despite her numerous previous statements in support of VE's work to shed light on the ''underground'' vouging community. (MTV / America's Best Dance Crew)
